Playing soccer can put you at an increased risk of sustaining traumatic or overuse injuries in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. The most common form of sports injury for soccer players is an ankle sprain. This occurs when one or more bands of ligaments—that normally stabilize the ankle and prevent it from collapsing or twisting excessively—become overly stretched or torn. Sudden running and jumping in soccer can sometimes cause the gastrocnemius or soleus muscles in the lower leg to pull away from the Achilles tendon. This is known as a pulled calf muscle. Another injury involving the Achilles tendon is a rupture and this is when the tendon itself tears. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia tissue on the bottom of the feet which attaches the heel to the toes. These conditions can be brought on by playing soccer on hard surfaces or by not wearing the right shoes. Soccer players can also sustain stress fractures due to the repeated impact on various foot bones. Whatever the sports injury may be, a chiropodist can examine and evaluate your condition and provide an appropriate treatment plan.

Injuries to the foot and ankle are very common among athletes. If you have experienced an injury, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

Common Injuries Among Athletes: 

• Achilles tendon injuries
• Ankle strains or sprains
• Plantar fasciitis
• Fractures
• Turf toe
• Joint dislocations
• Sever’s disease
• Morton’s neuroma

Symptoms

Symptoms will depend on the cause and severity of the injury. Common symptoms for a foot or ankle injury include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, a reduced range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight or walking on the affected foot or ankle. 

Diagnosis

Sports injuries are typically diagnosed after carefully examining the affected foot or ankle. This includes moving the injured area to test its range of motion. Medical history will need to be provided, as well as detailed information about how the injury occurred. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be used to confirm or rule out certain diagnoses. 

Treatment

Just like symptoms, treatment will depend on the type of injury and its severity. Initial treatment for many sports injuries is aimed at controlling inflammation and promoting the healing response. The acronym R.I.C.E is a helpful guide to implement for most acute injuries. This method involves resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected foot or ankle. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications may be administered and orthotic devices may be prescribed. For more severe injuries, surgery may be required. Lastly, rehabilitation or physical therapy may be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

A broken foot can temporarily change your life. It generally happens as a result of falling, or twisting the foot in an abnormal direction. Each foot has 26 bones, and can be divided into three sections. The part of the foot that attaches to the ankle is referred to as the hindfoot. Above that is the midfoot, and is made up of five smaller bones. The long part of the foot is known as the forefoot, and this has 19 bones within it. Any one of these bones can become fractured, and there are often noticeable symptoms that immediately appear. These include severe pain, bruising, swelling, and the inability to walk on it. In severe fractures, the bone can protrude, and may require surgery for normal placement. After a proper diagnosis is performed, which is having an X-ray taken, the correct treatment can begin. This often consists of placing the affected foot in a boot or cast for approximately six weeks, and elevating it as often as possible. If you have broken your foot, please speak to a chiropodist as quickly as possible who can recommend the best treatment for you.

A foot fracture is a crack or break in a foot bone, often caused by repetitive stress on the foot or a high-impact foot injury. If you’re suffering from foot pain, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility. 

Symptoms

• Pain
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Difficulty walking
• Deformity

Causes

• Repetitive overloading of the foot
• Having a previous fracture
• Abnormal foot biomechanics
• Changing training surfaces suddenly
• Poor footwear
• Osteoporosis
• High-impact injury 

Treatments

• Rest
• Ice
• Elevation
• Pain medication
• Braces or other orthotics
• Casts
• Crutches
• Surgery in more severe cases 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

The foot condition known as athlete’s foot can be irritating, unpleasant, and unsightly. In severe cases, the skin can blister, bleed, or become dry and cracked. Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus that enters the skin through tiny cuts, and it is considered to be contagious. If you are infected with athlete’s foot fungus, it is beneficial to wash and dry the feet thoroughly, in addition to using a separate towel. Wearing clean, cotton socks every day can help the feet to feel better. There are preventative methods that can can help to limit the spread of athlete’s foot. These include wearing appropriate shoes while in public areas and refraining from sharing towels, shoes, or socks. Additionally, it is beneficial to wear different shoes every day and to avoid scratching the affected area. If you have athlete's foot, please speak with a chiropodist who can guide you toward effective relief techniques.

Athlete’s foot can be uncomfortable and unsightly. To learn more about preventing and treating this condition, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Athlete’s Foot? 

Athlete’s foot refers to an infection of the skin on the feet that is caused by a fungus. This fungus is contagious and thrives in warm and moist environments. It is often spread in common areas such as public pools, locker rooms, and showers. It can also spread when sharing personal items, like shoes or towels, with an infected person. 

Symptoms

The symptoms of athlete’s foot may include: 

• Itching, stinging, or burning of the skin on the feet
• Cracking or peeling skin, especially between the toes and on the soles of the feet
• Scaly, red rash on the foot
• Blisters
• Foul odor

Treatment

Treatment for athlete’s foot typically involves using over-the-counter topical antifungal medications on the feet. When over-the-counter options are ineffective, you may need to take prescription oral medications or topical antifungal drugs, or a combination of both. 

Prevention

Preventing athlete’s foot places an emphasis on good foot hygiene practices. 

You can prevent athlete’s foot by:

• Washing and drying your feet thoroughly every day
• Wearing shoes when walking in public areas
• Not sharing personal items, like shoes or socks, with others
• Wearing shoes and socks made out of breathable materials

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON . 

A nerve condition that affects the extremities is called peripheral neuropathy and one of its main targets is the feet. The main symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include numbness and tingling as well as burning, stabbing, or shooting pain. Other common symptoms are loss of balance and coordination and muscle weakness. It is more likely to occur in older people and is frequently a side effect of diabetes. It can also be caused by shingles, a nerve injury, certain medications, and drinking too much alcohol. Complications from peripheral neuropathy can include foot ulcers caused by wounds that do not heal properly. This can lead to other serious problems, including gangrene. For that reason treatment of peripheral neuropathy, involving daily foot care, is essential. For anyone who experiences the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, regular visits to a chiropodist for evaluation and monitoring of the condition are strongly suggested.  

Neuropathy can cause permanent nerve damage if left untreated. If you are experiencing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, please consult with one of our chiropodists from West Toronto Foot & Ankle Clinic Inc. . Our chiropodist will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. 

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that damages the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which provide sensation to the limbs. The feet are often affected. Peripheral neuropathy can have many different causes, but it is most commonly associated with diabetes.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Pain
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Burning sensations
• Weakness
• Loss of balance

Diagnosis

Peripheral neuropathy is diagnosed based on medical history and physical examination. Various tests performed during physical examinations can help determine the type of peripheral neuropathy you may have and what is causing it. 

Treatment

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy will depend on what is causing it. For example, if your peripheral neuropathy is caused by diabetes, then managing your blood sugar, exercising regularly to strengthen the legs and feet, and taking pain medications may be recommended as treatments. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Toronto, ON .